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Jul 8, 2014

Do you want to laugh?
I just received McCall's 8536 (above), a vintage Willi Smith pattern from 1983. I picked it up because it includes a really cool collarless shirt design with pockets in the front yoke seams: it's so rare to find something unusual in a men's shirt pattern. It also makes long pants, shorts, and a very Miami Vice-y unlined jacket.

So I'm looking at patterns in my size on Etsy yesterday and I stumble up this -- McCall's 8535. Look familiar?

Anything different from 8536? OK, maybe --maybe -- the pants are cut differently. I wonder why they didn't just call it a unisex pattern. Maybe by 1983 the term unisex had lost its cachet.

I also received my early Thirties dress pattern, the one with no identifying label. (I'm figuring it's a mail order pattern.) All the instructions are on the inside of the envelope. I think it's a very pretty dress; not sure if I'll make it anytime soon -- we'll see.

In other news, my jacket it basically finished, thank goodness. Tomorrow I hope to buy buttons and, since I'll be in the Garment District, I may spring for a couple of Jonathan Embroidery buttonholes. I don't know why I expected this jacket to be a walk in the park -- it wasn't. I spent two days just hand sewing all the hems and inserting the lining.

I believe I still have enough fabric to make a pair of matching pants and I may use that Williwear pattern for those. My other option is to make pants cut like jeans using Kwik Sew 3504, which would be easier. Either way, I need this to be finished soon: I'm getting tired of navy blue.

18 comments:

That shirt pattern is really cool. I think I would add a band or Nehru type of collar just to keep the sun at bay or colder weather when that season is upon us. But having said that, it would be fun in a gauzy type fabric for the beach. Lots of possibilities there for stripes, checks, combos. sew & tell.

That 30s dress is great and so is the shirt pattern! I loooove the matching mens/womens patterns - hilarious. If it doesn't work for you, it can always be added to your identical cousin's amazing wardrobe!

Peter, have you ever visited the blog "Unsung Sewing Patterns"? The blogger specializes in early patterns, particularly for utilitarian garments. She may be able to tell you a bit more about your 1930s pattern.

Peter, I'm also In suit mode. I'm feeling like I've basted to the moon and back. Yours is looking great. The binding is a very classy touch, and I love it with the red. What ever pant you make is sure to be fabulous. Looking forward to the reveal!

Hey Peter -If you use the Williwear pants pattern I can't wait to see how it turns out - I once bought a Williwear pattern many years ago and made the elastic waist pants......what a disaster that turned out to be!! I swear the pattern had to cut for a man at least 6' 2" they were so voluminous I could have fit in one leg!! LOL! I was stunned since I'm 5'7" like you and I never made any of his pants again! I'm dying to see the cut on those!

That's a cool idea for the shirt pockets. It is a shame his clothing line has gone so downhill. I used to work at the store that still has his line as a whole department and I would try them on becuase they looked cute, but they were SO badly made/patterned.

I was thinking of warning you in a previous post that doing a partial lining will only increase your sewing time, immensely! Bagging the lining completely, machine stitching the entire lining, would go very quickly (if you have made the correct pattern changes), but would not look as interesting as the partial you have done.

a boy, a dream, and 10+ sewing machines

I'm a native New Yorker and sewing fanatic! I started sewing in 2009 and today make all my own clothes using vintage sewing machines and vintage patterns, in addition to sewing for private clients. Welcome to the warm and whimsical world of Male Pattern Boldness, where the conversation is sewing, style, fashion, fabric, and more!